NEW YORK — Just a month ago, Rick Pitino said it was “100%” that junior wing RJ Luis would leave St. John’s to turn pro after this season.

Now the Naismith Hall of Fame coach says the 6-foot-7 Luis will test the NBA Draft waters and could return for his senior season, thus he won’t participate in Senior Day ceremonies on Saturday. He also said he’s heard from media members that Luis is a “lock” for Big East Player of the Year.

“There is a possibility RJ is going to come back, so he’ll test the waters, and if he’s a first-rounder or a guaranteed contract, he should go,” Pitino said ahead of Saturday’s game with Seton Hall in which the No. 7 Red Storm could clinch the program’s first Big East regular-season title in 40 years.

“If he’s not, he should think about staying. Obviously, I hope he stays, but I also hope he goes, because we think he’s a pro, we think he’ll do great at the NBA level.”

Luis, who transferred in from UMass before last season, is averaging 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 40% from the field.

“He’s got tremendous upside,” Pitino previously said of Luis. “His body, his shot, his game, really lends to the NBA. So he’s got great, great upside, regardless of his age (22).”

Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith and Aaron Scott will participate in Senior Day ceremonies.

If the Red Storm returns Luis and junior big man Zuby Ejiofor while adding a few high-level players from the transfer portal, they could be nationally relevant against next season.

Ronnie Zeidel, a veteran agent and the owner of RZA sports, said Luis would be better off returning to St. John’s next season given the current NIL situation where St. John’s has the backing of billionaire Mike Repole.

“He’s gonna make 10 times as much money in college as he’s going to make in the pros,” said Zeidel, who attended the St. John’s media session Friday.

“I think it’s a no-brainer but who knows what he’s thinking, what his family is thinking.”

As for his plans, Luis said earlier this month: “My main focus right now is college, representing the St John’s that I have on the front of my chest, trying to put on for the New York City.

“Once the season ends, we’ll get to that. But my full focus is just playing college basketball right now and just trying to win and bring a championship back to Queens.”

Luis, meantime, remains a serious contender for Big East Player of the Year honors alongside his teammate Richmond, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Marquette’s Kam Jones.

For what it’s worth, my vote would be for Richmond, in part because he has heavily impacted two teams: his former team is close to the bottom and his current team is in first place.

Asked his thoughts on the matter, Pitino said: “I would say it’s probably if, from speaking to people, it’s a lock for RJ.”

The coaches vote and an informal poll of several Big East coaches indicated Luis and Kalkbrenner were the two main candidates. The Player and Coach of the Year will be announced March 12, the first day of the Big East Tournament.

Pitino acknowledged that coaches could split their votes among various St. John’s players and that could “hurt” them.

“I think Zuby is the most valuable player, RJ may be the most outstanding player, and Kadary may be the most clutch player, getting the clutch rebound, the clutch score, the clutch pass,” Pitino said.

He added: “Right now individual awards really don’t concern me as much as team,” the coach said.

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.